"As a small developing state, my country is highly vulnerable to external shocks and high current account deficit. We depend on foreign markets for tourism, trade and investments, and we have limited fiscal space to manoeuvre. In addition, our ageing population not only leads to a reduction of our productive capacity but also costs significant resources in terms of health care financing and retirement benefits." -- Anerood Jugnauth, the prime minister of Mauritius.
"I greet you from this great international edifice that was originally established, with all its agencies, in order for peace and security to prevail in the world. I greet you from a country where security has been disturbed and peace has departed, from a country that lives a fierce war for more than four years. I greet you from a land baptized by the blood of its people who are fighting terrorism and defending their fellow citizens against it, while waiting for this international organization to fulfill its promise, and implement its resolutions related to combating terrorism." -- Walid al-Moallem, the deputy prime minister of Syria.
"The United Nations has not always met our expectations. But it is the only organization where all countries can work to solve the problems we have today, and to seek to prevent potential problems for the future. This anniversary year witnesses a striking example of how the world`s nations, within the forum of the UN, can work together to chart a future for our people." -- Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, the minister of foreign affairs and external trade of Iceland.
"We may not have been among the earliest countries to join the UN. But we certainly were -- and remain -- among those who did so with full conviction. Today, UN membership is a key platform for our government`s foreign policy." -- Aurelia Frick, the foreign minister of Liechtenstein.
More about:
